January 21, 2015

It
is often said that early adulthood is the pinnacle of one's life. It is a
time to deeply indulge yourself in as many experiences as you possibly can,
while you still have the freedom to do so. It is a time to look, to taste, to feel, and to inhale. A time to try, and to fail - and to try again. A time to wonder. And to wander - to get so lost that in the process of finding your way back home, you find yourself. As we continue to lay the groundwork for our futures and design the mappings of our careers, we must continually ask ourselves: is this my idea of the good life?

Sarah Diouf, Editor-in-Chief of Paris-based GHUBAR Magazine,
is a woman I have looked up to for many years. Her passion for her brand, her work ethic, and her exquisite taste are endless sources of inspiration, and continue to lend to her success. Finding one's balance in life is a daunting and tiresome task for many. Sarah, however, realized that finding your balance is a process - one that she completely surrendered herself to, and allowed to manifest in her work. She is the
personification of the attitude that anyone, at any stage of life, should possess.

What is your definition of a “good
life”? Do you feel as if that is what you are living?

I think the definition depends on your drive and expectations.

But I believe as long as I have the people that I love and the realest
people around me, a roof above my head, some food, a work that I enjoy, and a
little money to enjoy some extras - life is good, no? I mean, what else do you
need?

How important do you feel it is for people to
follow their passions, even if doing so doesn't seem like a “secure” life
choice?

If you wake up every morning not loving your work or your life, find a
way to change your situation, because it's like committing suicide. It will
make you bitter. And this is how some end up hating on their friend's success
and happiness, because they don't have the guts to go fight for their own.

Before I started finding my balance (because it's a long process), there were times where I didn't have a single euro for days at the end of the month. I
put all I had into renting a studio to shoot. But hey, I wasn't even thinking
about that, I just couldn't imagine not being able to do what I want. But thank God I managed to find a way to make a little money and afford
doing what I like, when I want, with no pressure, because I think my parents
were very scared (laughs). I always had a hard time working for other people
if there was no purpose in the end. I would go work for a big company if I
knew that after a certain time I will have that amount of money to launch this
project, not just to be sure to have a check at the end of the month.

But I would never despise people who make this choice because we need
them. The world can't only be filled with outcasts otherwise it wouldn't work.

Which aspect of your work makes you the happiest? Which aspect do you
enjoy the least?

The happiest - I'd say the creative aspect. The whole process of researching,
which happens mostly naturally; I visit a place, it touches me, or I meet
someone and I am inspired and then BOOM : let's make an issue around that.

What I hate the most, is the whole legal paperwork side - you have to
contract every-single-thing to protect yourself. Crazy. But that's the game.

What would you say has been the most important
lesson that you have learned as a magazine Editor-in-Chief?

To read EVERYTHING, because culture isn't an option. And to make
the effort to represent my publication. People will forget about a "not
so great issue" but they will remember how you express yourself, how you
carry your project, and how you present.

Where do you see yourself and your magazine in the
next 5-10 years?

Enjoying life somewhere In Africa - I would maybe have more than one by
then, who knows?

Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew
a few years ago that could have helped you along your life path?

Sh*t happens. (laughs)

If you could give someone a quote to live by, what
would it be?

We will always be more than yesterday, and less than tomorrow (tattooed
in Hindi on my shoulder).

January 17, 2015

For the past few
years, I have been the sole writer for this blog. I can’t begin to describe
how beautiful of an experience it has been to share my interests and ideas with all of you – I've learned so myself and others through curating That GOOD GOOD Blog. However, as many
of you have undoubtedly noticed, things have been a bit quiet on my end for
quite some time (I've had a lengthy spell of writer’s block, if you will). Although I've been away, I am still very much invested in this creative space, and eager to see what new directions I can take That GOOD GOOD Blog in. So now,
after much thought and careful consideration, I feel that this is the perfect time to open my blog as a platform for more than just my own work. This space will
greatly benefit from the diverse contributions of other writers & thinkers who share my passion
for writing, art, music, style, and entrepreneurship.

If you or
someone you know would be interested in becoming a writer for That GOOD GOOD
Blog, please sendan e-mail to thatgoodgoodblog@gmail.com with the following information:

-Your name,
age, and location-A brief
description about yourself-Any links
to your blog/tumblr/instagram/youtube channel/facebook fan page (it’s okay if
you don’t have all of these, send whatever you do)-At least 1
sample of your writing, but feel free to send more if you wish

I'm hoping to find 2 or 3 people to contribute regularly as a start with me functioning as an editor/writer, and we will build upon
that as I see fit. Guys are more than welcome to contribute too, of course - this blog isn't just for the ladies. I am very excited to see what comes of this new direction, and more than
ready to see That GOOD GOOD Blog return bigger and better than ever.

October 18, 2013

Gold Coast Trading
Co., one of my top favorite brands that I’ve previously featured on this blog,
recently released a capsule collection entitled Imo Youth. In the words of the
designer, Emeka Elams, “the capsule collection takes a nostalgic look at a home
lost, the search for a new identity the churn of migration within the
afro-triangle”. My favorite aspect of this brand is that Emeka makes it
a point to draw inspiration from different points in Africa’s history and
incorporate them into his designs. The pieces produced by this brand are much
more than just clothing; they are physical reminders of the resilience and
brilliance that resonates within Africa, regardless of the struggles that the
continent has faced in the past and continues to face to this day.

April 3, 2013

Anyone who has been reading my blog for a while now knows
that I am a lover of independent magazines, both online and in print. Spook Magazine is a “literary arts mash-up”
which entered my radar back in December. What initially captured my eye was the
first issue’s absolutely stunning cover, created by the brilliant Stephanie
Matthews. As if the cover isn't stunning enough, this magazine is full of
flowing, poignant, masterful pieces of writing. Those of you who enjoy
devouring deliciously crafted poetry, fiction, and non-fiction writing,
purchase a print and/or digital copy of Spook! You will not be disappointed.

Also, you all simply must
listen to the glorious mixes on Spook’s Soundcloud page, Spook Radio. Good reads, good
visuals, good sounds. What more could one ask for?

The Refutation of “Good Hair” is a powerful new project by the brilliant Nakeya B. In this series, Nakeya has chosen to explore the literal meaning of the historically used phrase “good hair”. In her own words, “In each image a woman of color is seen poised upright while consuming a handful of hair. Accompanying the portraits are a selection still life arrangements placing hair and traditional African-American cuisine in the same setting. Doing such suggests "good hair" is nothing more than something to be consumed as if it were food”.

In honor of its 125th year anniversary,
National Geographic has taken to Tumblr to curate a number of iconic vintage images
from the magazine’s archives, many of which were never published. It is safe to
say that FOUND is quickly becoming one of my favorite Tumblr blogs. The images are
absolutely breathtaking. If you have a minute (or 2) to spare, make sure you check it out.

This song has been on heavy, heavy repeat for the past few
days. Fresh off of Tyler, The Creator’s new album, Wolf, comes a blissfully breezy tune
featuring two of my favorite singers, Coco of Quadron and Erykah Badu. Click the play button below the photo to listen.

March 14, 2013

A Look Through My Lens is an ongoing series on That GOOD GOOD Blog which features awe-inspiring photographers from all over the world. I have had the absolute privilege of interviewing 15 photographers thus far through this series and today I have yet another amazing addition to the ‘A Look Through My Lens’ family, 22 year old Lawrence Agyei from Chicago, IL. Lawrence is one of the many young creatives that my blog has allowed me to cross virtual paths with and I am so happy to be able to share a sample of his beautiful body of work with all of you. As always, I interviewed today's featured photographer and his responses to my questions accompany his photos in this post. Please enjoy Law's story as he shares about his passion for his art form and where his love of photography all began.

I have been doing photography for about 4 years. I took a
photography class during my senior year of high school. It was eye
opening. The course was about shooting film, digital and darkroom techniques.
My teacher always told me that I had an amazing eye and suggested that I should
never stop shooting. I started sharing all my photos on Facebook and Flickr.
Before I knew it everybody started to recognize me as a photographer. I never
stopped shooting, even with my small digital camera.

I
take all kinds of pictures from fashion, live music and lifestyle.

Words
I would use to classify my photographic style are real and lifestyle.

I
like to take photographs of anything that I can reinterpret its beauty or
moment through my own vision. My lens becomes the looking glass so that others
can see into my world the way I see it. I tend to take shots of everyday
people. Capturing the emotions and facial expressions of people is very
remarkable.

I
use a Nikon d3000 with a 50mm 1.8. Nikon is my first true love so I’m going to
stay faithful with it. Maybe one day I'll shoot with a Canon.

I admire a lot of photographers: James Barnor for his amazing portraits
of Ghanaian people back in the 60's and 70's, Vivian Maier for her street
photography and self portraits and Jack Robinson for his unique studio
portraits of famous personalities.

February 24, 2013

Anyone who frequents
street style blogs has, most likely, come across this marvelous pair at least
once. I’ve long been an admirer of their
personal styles and have, within the past year, become more aware of and
enamored by their strong body of work. Sam
Lambert and Shaka Maidoh are the brilliant minds behind Art Comes First, a dynamic collective of self-taught creatives and
artists.

In their own words, ACF was founded in order to “circulate sartorial nourishment and oxygenating time-based projects through dynamic collaboration with different creatives in their network.” The projects that this collective are involved with are nothing short of stunning; ranging from collaborations with designers from all over the world, to gorgeous designs of their own. ACF has an incredible aesthetic and its founders exude a level of cool that seems almost impossible.

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Good Good [gud-gud], noun.

Items of high quality & relevance; excellence. Matters that are interesting & worthy of discussion. Objects which could only be admired and appreciated by those of refined taste. A concept thats meaning has been lowered by those who use the term in less than impressive matters; however, I plan on lifting the term to newer heights. As far as I am concerned, that GOOD GOOD refers to all which is completely, genuinely, and most definitely fly. From fashion that only those drowning in style and swagger could ever understand to music that only those with a knowledge of notes & an ear for what is real can truly value & everything in between.